Sydney Swans vs Hawthorn Hawks Prediction: Can the Swans show confidence after previous season difficulties?

Sydney Swans and Hawthorn Hawks will open their 2025 AFL campaign at Sydney Cricket Ground. In the previous years, Sydney Swans dominated this fixture and will hope for a similar outcome here. How will the Hawks respond? I will look into the previews of this game and offer the best betting opportunities. 

Sydney Swans

Sydney Swans will be disappointed with how their previous season ended and will head into this one with hopes. In the regular season, Sydney Swans finished top of the standings with 68 points, four ahead of their closest rivals. In the meantime, their playoff road was exciting, defeating the GWS Giants and Port Adelaide Power in games that ended 88-82 and 95-59. However, their final game ended in a disappointing 60-point margin loss to the Brisbane Lions. Heading into this game, Sydney Swans have six wins in their last seven matches and have won the last three encounters with the Hawks. 

Hawthorn Hawks

Hawthorn Hawks will hope things go their way this season after how they missed out on winning the playoff last year. In 23 matches played, this team could only finish 7th with 56 points accumulated and a 118.55 percentile. However, while they made it to the playoffs, this team could only pull off a 62-99 and then lost 75-72 to the Port Adelaide Power in the quarterfinal. In their game against the Western Bulldogs in the AAMI Community Series, this team suffered a defeat. Heading into this game, the Hawthorn Hawks have lost three of their last seven matches. 

Expert Betting Tips

Hawthorn Hawks will need more than luck to win this game, despite the fact I expect a different energy from them this season. However, looking at the way the previous season ended for the Sydney Swans, I expect them to give more to win the league this year and the way they start the season is crucial. With the Swans dominating in the past, I expect a similar outcome here, but this time, the Hawks will score a number of points. 

Our first option is a win for the Sydney Swans with odds at 1.80 on 1Xbet

Our second option is handicap W1 (-1.5) with odds at 1.91 on Bet365

Our last option is over 169.5 with odds at 1.89 on Betway